Senior center returns to polls in hopes of staying afloat

Last November during the election, the Darb Snyder Holmes County Senior Center hoped to find necessary funding to keep its operation moving forward by placing a 0.19 mill levy that would result in an income of approximately $300,000 a year.

While that levy didn’t pass, the organization is hoping that with some better promotion and creating a better understanding of exactly what it is they need and do in the community, they will help bolster enough votes to pass a levy during the upcoming election.

Tabitha Strouse, senior center chairperson of the board, met with the Holmes County Commissioners recently to discuss the objectives and hopes of the center as it continues to cut corners and find ways to remain a vital part of the lives of the county’s shut-ins and seniors, most of whom are on very limited budgets.

“The main goal of the levy is to simply keep us operational,” Strouse said. “Without a levy we will probably have to cut our services by two-thirds. We’re trying everything we can do to bring extra money in, but it’s difficult to do when you’re short-staffed.”

Strouse said the center has already made some definitive cuts in its programs including the removal of one of its three drivers who deliver meals to area seniors.

While there are many senior centers, few offer the free meals and programs provided by Holmes County, and Strouse said they aren’t about to put people on a waiting list, especially when providing healthy meals. She said when a senior calls in for help, they want to be there, no questions asked.

She also said the senior center is for the seniors and everyone in the county to enjoy and appreciate.

Strouse also said that out of the nine regions in the surrounding area that have senior centers, eight of them are fortified by levies, with Holmes County being the lone organization that isn’t yet supported by a levy.

The proposed levy coming in November would ask property owners to pay approximately $9 per $100,000 per year, which is not a big amount but would be critical to the survival of the center.

Asked what would happen if the levy failed, Strouse didn’t beat around the bush.

“That would be it,” she said.

In order to promote the levy, Strouse said they are pushing hard to reconnect with the community to share exactly how the organization impacts area seniors with food, medical needs, transportation and providing a place where seniors can be with people.

“I’d say 90% of the people we’ve talked to have no idea about all the things we do,” Strouse said. “Many of them think that we are county funded, which we aren’t.”

Creating signage this year is one thing the center is going to do to better promote its levy effort. In addition, they present a bingo game Tuesday mornings and bingo and instant tickets the third Saturday of each month, and they also are organizing an auction that will take place Nov. 1.

In addition, the center will soon host its Farmers Market Coupon program, which provides seniors with $50 debit cards to participating farmers markets. She said the program allows for both husband and wife to receive a coupon.

Any senior wishing to sign up for the coupon program may do so by logging on at www.ohio.gov or by stopping in at the senior center.